<center><big>In one weekend of [[Popcorn]] sales or other [[Fundraising]], a [[Cub Scout]] or [[Boy Scout]]<br> can earn enough in his [[Individual Youth Accounts|Individual Youth Account]] for a year of FUN!<br>Scouts learn [[personal management]] not by lectures but through life experiences.</big></center><br>

{{Quote-source|'''No.''' The IRS has stated that crediting fundraising amounts constitutes private benefit. However, the unit could use the funds (all or a percentage) raised to reduce or eliminate dues and various registration fees, purchase uniforms and Scouting books, and purchase camping equipment. The unit could also use its funds to provide assistance to individual Scouts in cases of financial hardship.|[http://www.scouting.org/filestore/financeimpact/pdf/Fiscal_Policies_and_Procedures_for_BSA_Units.pdf '''''Fiscal Policies and Procedures for BSA Units''' &ndash; Frequently Asked Questions'']}}

{{Shortcut|[[Individual Accounts]]}} The BSA suggests that a Scout's earnings be applied first to his annual costs with remaining money going into the Scout's '''Individual Youth Account'''. Some units instead take the boy's earnings and divide them up.

-

-

{{Quote-source|Paying your own way is a fundamental principle of the Boy Scouts of America. It is one of the reasons why no solicitations (requests for contributions from individuals or the community) are permitted by units. Young people in Scouting are taught early on that if they want something in life, [[Fundraising|they need to earn it]]. The finance plan of any unit should include participation by the Scouts.|[http://www.scouting.org/cubscouts/resources/packbudget.aspx Annual Budget Plan]}}

-

-

Individual Accounts are bookkeeping accounts, not separate bank accounts. Units ''"..using this method have traditionally had stronger programs with less turnover of youth..."'' - .[http://www.scouting.org/cubscouts/resources/packbudget.aspx scouting.org]

-

-

==Benefits of Individual Youth Accounts==

-

There are many benefits in using the BSA [[Individual Youth Accounts]] program:

-

# Scouts learn self-reliance - success come from from your own hard work, not from taking from others.

-

# Scouts learn to plan for financial goals such as [[summer camp]], trips, equipment, and [[uniform]]s.

-

# Scouts learn life skills of [[personal management]] through life experiences not lectures.

-

# A Scout is more likely to attend if he paid for the event through his own work.

-

# A Scout is more likely to stay in Scouts if he has earned the funds he needs for the activities he wants to do.

-

-

==Basic Expenses==

-

{{Scout Expenses}}

-

-

==Importance to Packs==

-

{{Quote-source|[[Packs]] using this method have traditionally had stronger programs with less turnover of youth ([[Cub Scouts]] are retained). Individual Cub Scout accounts, whereby the pack keeps track of how much a [[Fundraising|Cub Scout or his family has raised]] toward his "ideal year of Cub Scouting" goal, are critical to the success of this program. When individual Cub Scouts are credited for their efforts, they develop a sense of personal responsibility and participation.|[http://www.scouting.org/cubscouts/resources/packbudget.aspx Annual Pack Budget Plan]}}

-

-

==Importance to Webelos==

-

'''Individual Youth Accounts''' are critical for [[Webelos Scouts]] to [[Webelos Transition|crossover]] into [[Boy Scouts]]. A boy who has learned to work towards his goals will be able to participate in more activities and is more likely to stay in. Plus many [[Webelos]] Scouts [[Fundraising|have earnings]] to take with them to [[Boy Scouts]] for new [[uniform]]s, equipment, and [[Boy Scout Summer Camp]]. Packs send the boy on not just with money, but with [[personal management]] skills.

-

-

==Importance to Boy Scouts==

-

There is so much more a Boy Scout can do. You will need backpacks and equipment and [[merit badge]] books. Your activities are better now: [[Climbing]], [[Hiking]], [[Canoeing]], and so much more. [[Summer Camp]] adds [[Rifle Shooting]], [[Shotgun Shooting]], [[Snorkeling]], and [[Wilderness Survival]]. The bigger the fun, the bigger the price, and the more important Individual Accounts become. Scouts who learn self-reliance will go far.

-

-

==Participation Fees Do Little to Teach Responsibility==

-

{{Quote-source|An annual unit participation fee, too often completely contributed by parents, does little to teach a boy responsibility. The unit's entire budget must be provided for by the families, either through [[fund-raising]] or other means such as dues or fees.|[http://www.scouting.org/cubscouts/resources/packbudget.aspx Annual Budget Plan]}}

Current revision

BSAPOLICY

Can my unit credit amounts from fundraising to an individual toward their expenses?

“

No. The IRS has stated that crediting fundraising amounts constitutes private benefit. However, the unit could use the funds (all or a percentage) raised to reduce or eliminate dues and various registration fees, purchase uniforms and Scouting books, and purchase camping equipment. The unit could also use its funds to provide assistance to individual Scouts in cases of financial hardship.